A SWINDON-BASED centre which researches new ways to improve water and waste management systems around the world has been snapped up by a bigger company.
Environmental, engineering and technical services firm RSK Group acquired the independent Water Research centre on Frankland Road and its subsidiary Cognica.
The centre has more than 90 years of experience in helping regulators, industrial manufacturers, water and gas utility companies, and governmental, non-governmental and trade organisations.
At the moment, its 170 employees are designing the technical engineering work architecture for a water company that will service the NEOM futuristic desert city project in Saudi Arabia.
Staff have developed a water quality sampling and monitoring programme for Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority in the UAE, and are providing water sector specialist expertise for the Department for International Trade in the UK.
And by working with Water UK, the team has developed and is delivering the worlds’ first standard for flushable products, Fine to Flush, to protect UK sewers and water bodies.
Cognica provides information management services to construction companies and estate managers. Both companies will continue to be led by WRc chief executive officer Mark Smith.
Mr Smith said: “RSK and our company offer world-class engineering and technical services to solve clients’ problems. Both companies employ top-class and passionate people who care about the environment.
“Their environmental, scientific and engineering capabilities and global presence combined with our leading, independent thinking will enable both companies to deliver ever improving and more sustainable solutions to our clients while promoting the circular economy in everything we do.”
They will be part of RSK’s agriculture, land and property management division.
Divisional director Ian Strudwick said: “I look forward to working with Mark and his dedicated team. It is a highly regarded business and an iconic brand with an incredible heritage in the water industry and a track record of projects and experience envied across the sector.
“It carries many synergies with this company that we look forward to exploring and making the most of. Our plan is to help the firm to grow in the UK and to extend its global footprint, particularly in areas such as Africa and the Middle East where we already have a strong foothold in other sectors. There is going to be an exciting year ahead.”
RSK CEO and founder Alan Ryder said: “This is a unique acquisition for us that brings together an exceptional brand that is renowned for independent thinking and delivery to create an ability to address global issues including climate change, green growth and water and sanitation services through applied engineering excellence.
“WRc’s tagline, ‘Innovation through collaboration’, highlights two of our shared values, so we are delighted to welcome them to the group.”
WRc’s services include leakage detection, water management, wastewater management, flooding and sewers, environmental modelling, innovation and management consulting, asset management, UKAS-accredited physical testing and validation facilities and services, policy and regulation, UKAS-approved laboratory services, infrastructure assessment, building information, and waste-to-resource consulting.
The centre is the home of The National Centre for Environmental Toxicology, an expert team of scientists and toxicologists offering a toxicology-on-demand subscription service for its clients.
